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Title: TAD and DAD Author & Illustrator: David Ezra Stein Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015 Themes: Father/son relationships, frogs & tadpoles, sleeping Ages: 3-7 Opening: My dad has big, buggy eyes,                                       … Continue reading →

Title: National Geographic Kids National Park Guides U.S.A Written by: Sarah Wassener Flynn and Julie Beer Published by: National Geographic Kids, 2016 Themes: national parks in the USA, sights, activities, trips, conservation Ages: 7- adult Opening: In the last hundred years, life in the Unites States has changed a lot, … Continue reading →

I had another book scheduled for today, but as I am staying with one of my writing buddies and she introduced me to a delightful biography of a tree-loving woman here in San Diego, I couldn’t pass up the chance … Continue reading →

Title: The Knowing Book Author: Rebecca Kai Dotlich Illustrator: Matthew Cordell Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2016 Themes: Enjoying the journey, discovery, what we can know, what we don’t know Ages: 7-11 Opening: Before you forget …look up. Synopsis: Inspiring and wise, this story begins and ends with the sky that is always above you. In … Continue reading →

Title: Little Bitty Friends Author: Elizabeth McPike Illustrator: Patrice Barton Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for YOung Readers, February, 2016 Themes: spring, small animals, rhyme Ages: 0-2 Genre: concept picture book Opening: (first two spreads) Little bitty steps marching one, two, three, Little furry caterpillar, tickle, tickle, knee. Synopsis: Sharing strawberries with a wee mouse, stretching up skyward … Continue reading →

Title: The Thing About Yetis Author & Illustrator: Vin Vogel Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015 Themes: winter, yetis, summer Ages: 3-5 Opening: The thing about yetis is that yetis love winter Synopsis: Everyone knows yetis love winter. They love snowball fights and hot chocolate and sledding. But even yetis … Continue reading →

Title: Ira’s Shakespeare Dream Written by: Glenda Armand illustrated by: Floyd Cooper Published by: Lee & Low, May 2015 Themes: African Americans, biography, Ira Aldridge, Shakespeare, acting, diversity, abolition of slavery in the USA Ages: 7-11+ Genre: Picture Book Biography Opening: IRA COULD NOT KEEP STILL as he waited in the balcony of … Continue reading →

What a great way to celebrate the UN’s World Wildlife Day, than to introduce the second book in this series about children caring for animals. Title: Tortuga Squad-Kids Saving Sea Turtles in Costa Rica Written and photos by: Cathleen Burnham Additional photos by: … Continue reading →

Title: This is My Home, This is My School Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Bean Publisher: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2015 Themes: Homeschooling, family life, concept book Ages: 3-7 Opening: This is my home.             And this is my school. Synopsis: Drawing from his own childhood experiences, Jonathan Bean takes … Continue reading →

Another book for Black History Month. Title: the First Step, How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial Written by: Susan E. Goodman illustrated by: E. B. Lewis Published by: Bloomsbury, 2015 Genre: historical fiction, 40 pages Themes: segregation, discrimination in education, Boston, Sarah C Roberts, African Americans Ages: 7-11 Opening: Sarah Roberts was four … Continue reading →

Title: Poet: Worm loves Worm Written by: J. J. Austrian illustrated by: Miike Curato Published by: Balzer & Bray, Jan 5th, 2016 Themes: celebration of love, marriage, wedding, worms Ages: 3-7 Opening: Worm loves Worm. “Let’s be married.” says Worm to Worm. Synopsis: A worm meets another worm and falls in love. One proposes; … Continue reading →

  Celebrating Black History Month! Title: Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses HortonPoet: Author and illustrator: Don Tate Publisher: Peachtree Books, 2015 Themes: slavery, illiteracy, poetry, African American, perseverance, Genre: biography Ages: 6-9 Opening: GEORGE LOVED WORDS. He wanted to learn how to read, but George was enslaved. He and his family lived … Continue reading →

Title: Big Snow Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Bean Publisher: Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2013 Themes: Anticipation, excitement, first snowfall of season Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Award Nominee for Highly Commended Title, 2014 Ages: 3-5 Opening: “Mom,” said David, “when will it snow?”                                                                                                                  “I think soon,” said Mom. “Why don’t you help … Continue reading →

Title: Be A Friend Author & Illustrator: Salina Yoon Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books, January 2016 Themes: individuality, imagination, friendship Ages: 3-7 Opening: Dennis was an ordinary boy …who expressed himself in EXTRAORDINARY ways. Synopsis: Dennis is an ordinary boy who expresses himself in extraordinary ways. Some children do show-and-tell. Dennis mimes his. … Continue reading →

Title: Peddles Author & Illustrator: Elizabeth Rose Stanton Publisher: Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster, 2016 Themes: pigs, dreams, dancing Ages: 3-7 Opening: Peddles was just a pig. He lived on a farm with other pigs, doing the usual pig things: eating and sleeping and oinking and rooting and wallowing and… Synopsis: Have you ever been … Continue reading →

Title: Mango, Abuela and Me Author: Meg Medina Illustrator: Angela Dominguez Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2015 Themes: love, learning new language, making friends Awards: Belpre (Author and illustrator) Honor Books, 2016 Ages: 3-7 Opening: SHE COMES TO US in winter, leaving behind her sunny house that rested between two snaking rivers.         … Continue reading →

I am shuffling my blogging schedule around a little this year. With my new job and a desire to have this next novel’s first draft finished by June, I shall be reducing my posts to twice a week. Tuesdays will … Continue reading →

I confess to changing my choice today to Perfect Poetry Book Friday, but with good reason. This book deserves wide promotion and it fits perfectly into the aims of our blogging group to recommend high quality books with pictures for … Continue reading →

Title: how to Written and illustrated by: Julie Morstad Published by: Simply Read books, 2013 Themes/Topics: how to guide, imagination, whimsy, wonder Literary awards: Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award (2014), Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (2014) Suitable for ages: 6-9 Opening: how to go fast Synopsis: This imaginative ‘how to’ book explores … Continue reading →

Title: Feeding the Flying Fanellis and Other Poems from a Circus Chef Written by: Kate Hosford Illustrated by: Coesei Kawa Published by: Carolrhoda books 2015 Themes: food, circus, chefs, Genre: poetry Ages: 5-8 Source: review copy from the publisher Opening: In The circus Kitchen I’ve never turned a cartwheel, … Continue reading →

Title: On the Wing Written by: David Elliott Illustrated by: Becca Stadtlander Published by: Candlewick Press, 2014 Themes/Topics: birds, birding, verse Suitable for ages: 6-9 Example spread: Synopsis: David Elliot and Becca Stadtlander invite the reader to wonder and smile at the variety, specificity, humor, majesty and splendor of fifteen birds—from the … Continue reading →

Title: A Friend For Lakota: The Incredible True Story of a Wolf who Braved Bullying Authors and photographers: Jim and Jamie Dutcher Publisher: The National Geographic Society, 2015 Ages: 5-8 Themes/topics: wolves, hierarchy, friendship, bullying Source: review copy from publisher. … Continue reading →

Title: No Yeti Yet Written and illustrated by: Mary Ann Fraser Published by: Peter Pauper Press, Mamaroneck, 2015 Themes/Topics: Yetis, brothers, questions, snowy day Suitable for ages: 4-7 Opening: It’s a perfect day for a yeti hunt.               … Continue reading →

Title: Happy in Our Skin Written by: Fran Manushkin Illustrated by: Lauren Tobia Published by: Candlewick Press, 2015 Themes/Topics: diversity, self-acceptance, skin Suitable for ages: 2-5 Opening: Look at you!                               … Continue reading →

Title: I Thought This Was a Bear Book Written by: Tara Lazar Illustrated by: Benji Davis Published by: Aladdin (S&S), 2014 Themes/Topics: aliens, Goldilocks and Three Bears, metaphysical mash up Suitable for ages: 4-7 Opening: Once upon a time there were three bears. Synopsis: An … Continue reading →